Italiano Chop Salad

A green salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, garbanzo beans and black olives with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• Salad Ingredients:
• 1 lg head chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup salami, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, chopped
• 1 small can garbanzo beans
• 1 small can sliced kalamata or black olives, drained
• 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
• 1/2 tsp dry oregano
• Balsamic dressing:
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 3/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

Salad Dressing: Combine all except the olive oil in blender for 30 seconds. While continuing to blend, pour olive oil slowly through blender lid until dressing is thick and creamy. Refrigerate in a container until serving time. Salad: Put chopped lettuce into a medium salad bowl. Add all other chopped ingredients on top as well as the garbanzos and olives. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano and serve with balsamic dressing.

Number of Servings: 4